The only place to be

What's more important? A strong bench or a good striker?

Bad game but think he still has the engine and the directness that can work well in this side. In a team with Oscar and one of Willian and Hazard then he can be an important player for us, but simply wasn't his day.

How is it immature? He doesn't seem to fit the system and would fetch about £30-35 million which we could use to strengthen areas we are weak in.

Southampton should've scored as well though. The difference between the first-half and the second-half for me was that everything good in the first-half came from individual moments of skill (mostly Torres) whereas the second-half was a complete team performance. That first-half was worryingly reminiscent of Newcastle away actually.

Hated the dive, loved everything else. He's our most important player in almost every phase of the game and he's starting to build a real rapport with Willian and Hazard too. Now if only he could put in a corner.

We look better with him not in the team right now. Him and De Bruyne simply don't seem to play with the same speed as Willian, Oscar and Hazard and there's an intensity that is missing without those three. He's probably here until the summer but sometimes players don't fit systems no matter what you do.

A great win although another disappointing first-half. Mourinho's subs won us the game and we look a completely different team with Willian and, in particular, Oscar in the side. There's a pace and directness that they add to the game. Torres was good. He created chances for himself and was in exactly the right spot for his goal, but he needs to be more clinical (how many times has that been said in the last 3 years?). Ramires and Mikel were very solid too especially after the 50th minute, but it really does look like Ashley Cole is a mistake waiting to happen. The headlines will probably be all about Mata though and that's understandable, but he's simply not as important to this side as he was last year and we're a much better team this season without him. But this was a great win against a good team in tough conditions and it's been a fantastic Christmas period for us. Now we get a chance to make a few changes in the transfer market too....bring on 2014!!

Was for me before the goal, but glad that he got that goal. He's been player of the season but the stats haven't quite been where some people wanted. Two assists and a goal is a nice way to start the season. Links up the team well and linking up better with Hazard too. Becoming the player we all thought he could be.

Sorry Juan, but this is exactly why you aren't first-choice anymore. Oscar has been exceptional since he came on. Two assists and running his bollocks off. Great finish by Willian too.

Fantastic forward play by Torres and reminiscent of the alertness he showed for his goal against Palace.

He's been poor. Just disappointing. Jose can defend him in public but he needs a fucking slap for that.

He's got Oscar and Willian for the middle and wants an option for a left-footed right winger. If Mata can't do that then we'll sell him.

Seriously, what is wrong with you? He just looks so slow out there. Put Oscar or Willian in there and move Hazard out to the left against Chambers.

Oscar and Willian for Schurrle and Mata please. Mata starting to resemble Joe Cole in his last season with us.

Hazard through the middle, Schurrle on the left and Mata on the right.

Southampton Team: K. Davis ©, Chambers, Fonte, Lovren, Shaw, Cork, Schneiderlin, S. Davis, Lallana, Rodriguez, Ramírez. #Saintsfc No Wanyama

We have a few FA Cup games but the difference is KDB is 22 and Traore is 18. He'll play in the youth cup games as well whilst providing cover for the first team.

Wouldn't be surprised if this guy took De Bruyne's position in the squad as 6th AM whilst playing with the youth team until summer.

Think you're panicking unduly. The club is positioned quite nicely in real terms, and that Telegraph article is amazingly simplistic. Commercial revenues are up, tv money is about to increase dramatically and we have a lot of young assets who are growing in value.

Not as bad as the headline figure suggests, some promising news but mostly the same old limitations. Stamford Bridge is a bottleneck and it would be nice to win the CL every year.

Exactly. It's the only deal comparable to us possibly selling Mata which is why I think his market price would probably be between £35-40 million.

I think he could play as a deeper midfielder. He has all the tools and he played in a more conventional 442 for United at youth level. Probably. KDB and Essien out in January?

Obama and Jay Z aren't doing it.

Could get a chance in the summer if Bertrand leaves in January, but I would've thought the focus would be on getting Luke Shaw.

Think I completely underestimated how important this guy might be to our team. Watching him, Oscar and Hazard break for our first goal was an absolute thing of beauty like three fighter jets flying in formation. Pace. Directness. Accuracy. The fact that he can put in a hell of a shift defending as well is incredible.